Landlord Can't Require Tenant to Provide Information

Tenant complained that landlord didn't offer her a proper rent-stabilized renewal lease. Landlord had sent tenant a renewal offer, but the renewal lease contained a new condition. Landlord asked that tenant list the names, ages, and relationship to tenant of other apartment occupants as well as the name, address, and phone number of an emergency contact person. Tenant crossed out the extra lease clause, signed the renewal, and sent it back to landlord; but landlord never sent her back a signed lease. The DRA ruled for tenant, and landlord appealed. The DHCR ruled against landlord. While the rent stabilization code allows landlord to request such information, tenant doesn't have to provide information about other occupants as a condition to renewing the lease. Failure to provide such information may, of course, affect occupants' chances of claiming pass-on rights to the apartment in the future.

Domenica, Vito & Rita, Realties, Inc./Davis: DHCR Adm. Rev. Dckt. Nos. GL410068RO, GL410108RT (8/25/95) [6-page document]